UK selects Gen3 Common Missile Warning System
BAE Systems has received the first direct commercial sale contract to supply the third-generation configuration of its Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), having signed a contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the equipment. The contract, worth £16.7 million, was announced on 27 May.
The new systems will replace second-generation CMWS on a number of helicopters in the UK military’s fleet, including the Apache, Chinook, Wildcat, and Merlin aircraft; as well as outfitting a number of new aircraft.
The CMWS is a highly automated and tightly integrated survivability suite that locates threats and executes countermeasures to protect aircraft and personnel. The Gen3 system includes both hostile fire indication to detect and evade small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, and new data recording capabilities for detailed post-mission analysis.
The UK MoD award also includes user data modules that enable user-defined parameter changes to customise aircraft installations as well as supporting data and services.
Bill Staib, director of Threat Management Solutions at BAE Systems, said: ‘Our CMWS has a long track record of success with more than 2 million combat hours. Its proven technology has saved countless aircraft and lives.
‘Our engineers have now enhanced the system with third-generation technology, integrating hostile fire indication, missile warning, and data recording capabilities into a single unit. Through this purchase, the UK pilots will have enhanced detection of small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, improving their safety and mission effectiveness.’
The order brings the UK MoD’s procurement of CMWS units to more than 300 systems. The system was also recently delivered to the US Army.
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